Make Your Own Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Day – or Any Day Really

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! National Ice Cream Day is around the corner. Instead of heading to the ice cream parlor, get your Swedish chef hat on and make some yourself at home. Here are some recipes to steal so you look like a pro.

There’s something for everyone—whether you own an ice cream maker or not. Obviously, don’t forget to use your favorite toppings like wholesale candy, marshmallows or brownies!

Are brownies a topping? Yes! Nom nom nom. :P

Speaking of…

Strawberry Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Milk National Ice Cream Day for all its worth by making these strawberry brownie ice cream sandwiches. You don’t necessarily have to make the ice cream for this, but homemade is always best!

First, make amazing brownies. Then, just make sure the brownies are cool, cut in half, and the ice cream is partially thawed and spreadable (think butter that’s been sitting out for a couple hours). As soon as you’re done assembling these, put them back in the freezer to harden up. They’re a great snack to keep around the house during summertime or to gobble up on National Ice Cream Day.

Pumpkin Coconut Ice Cream

This is a great ice cream to make for National Ice Cream Day or to transition from summer to fall flavors. The coconut keeps it lively while the pumpkin maintains a warm and savory flavor. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can purchase one for relatively cheap on Amazon. Or, read on to find out another technique that utilizes ice cubes and a plastic bag—oh, and some arm muscles!

Cookie Dough Ice Cream

We’re lucky we live in a world where freezers hum all year long. The pilgrims had to rely on big blocks of ice in cellars to keep things cool—making routine ice cream eating nearly impossible! Celebrate your fortune by making this classic cookie dough ice cream. Remember, eating raw eggs can be dangerous, so if you make the cookie dough from scratch, omit the eggs. Then, follow this creamy recipe to make the vanilla base. It’s a crowd pleaser that works well in sundaes, on top of cones, or in bowls smothered in hot fudge.

No Machine Ice Cream

For those without ice cream mixers, don’t worry! This group of recipes is just for you. You can easily make ice cream at home without an ice cream maker and still enjoy creamy, fluffy goodness. You will need to beat the ingredients (whether with a hand or stand mixer), but that’s it! Get ready to learn how to create strawberry cheesecake, honeycomb, Oreo, vanilla ice cream, and more. You’ll be eating delicious ice cream in no time.

Browned Butter Ice Cream

Browned butter is essentially the crack of the cooking world. When you cook it long enough, it develops a nutty, rich, and savory flavor. In ice cream, it kind of takes like brown sugar and transforms typical vanilla into something much more. Try this ice cream at home and serve with toffee. The caramel flavors bring out the browned butter and vice versa. Salted pretzels or other crunchy candied nuts also make great toppers. This is one you should definitely make at home.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

Cherry and vanilla are such a delicate and sweet combination. That’s why we love this cherry vanilla ice cream. We recommend using fresh cherries since maraschino or canned might come out strange. If you’re in a pinch, you could try candied cherries. If diet is a concern, you could cut down on the fat in this one by using yogurt instead of cream too. Remember though, the best ice cream consistency comes from high fat and sugar content. The more you have, the softer it will be to scoop!

Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate ice cream is one of the classics. You can transform it with raspberry sauce, increase its decadence with a drizzle of caramel, or take it to new heights with chopped nuts and candies. Notice the pretzel cone? LOVE!

However, this super chocolatey ice cream is so good you really don’t need anything else. You’ll essentially make a custard for this ice cream and then pop it into the mixer to do the rest. If you like it more bitter, omit the sugar or use a darker chocolate. If you like it sweet, do the opposite. Just eat this a long time before bed or you might be up for a while!

Plastic Bag Ice Cream

This technique is awesome. It allows everyone to make their own ice cream at home! Using two plastic bags—one with the ice cream mix and one with ice—you can shake it up into a frozen state. Just make sure your arms are ready for a workout. You’ll most likely be shaking the bags for 10-15 minutes to achieve a perfect frozen consistency. If your kids love to help in the kitchen, this is the perfect food for them to make. Once they’re done, give them spoons so they can eat their ice cream right out of the bag.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Something about green mint chocolate chip ice cream is so appetizing. While you can leave the green coloring out if you don’t want anything artificial, the verdant color somehow makes it taste better! Whatever you do, you can use this recipe to make a lightly mint and chocolate ice cream everyone will love. Here’s a hint: use Andes mints instead of chocolate pieces to amp up the chocolate and minty flavor.

Cake Batter Ice Cream

If you have an unrelenting sweet tooth, you should try this cake batter ice cream. It’s super sweet and rich and something ice cream lovers have come to crave. With a cake batter base and flecks of rainbow sprinkles, it’s a jubilant dessert that will bring cheer to any cone or bowl its served in. Having a birthday party for someone? Why not make cake batter ice cream instead of a cake? Then, everyone can make their own sundaes and enjoy a cold and refreshing treat.

Grilled Peach Ice Cream

Looking for a fancier ice cream? This peach ice cream will do. Just fire up the grill and cook halved peaches until they’re juicy. Then, let them cool completely, cut them into chunks, and add them to a vanilla ice cream base. Here’s a tip: use the browned butter ice cream recipe above as a base. It will complement the grilled peaches deliciously.

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream

Liquid nitrogen is so cool—literally! It’s also something that can transform your ice cream making into a science experiment. If you’re having a birthday party for kids, make this part of the event. When hands are dry and gloves are worn, liquid nitrogen is pretty safe to handle. Still, adults should be the ones using it, but the kids can gather around the table to watch. First, have them dip things like flowers or blades of grass into the liquid nitrogen. Then, have them shatter them on the table! While they’re doing this, you can pour the liquid nitrogen into the ice cream mix and stir until it freezes. Serve right away!